United Kingdom - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bancroft welcomes new English wine agency

Published: 18 January, 2022

UK distributor Bancroft has expanded its English wine portfolio with the addition of Lyme Bay Winery.

English sparkling wine brand achieves 'B Corporation' certification

Published: 06 January, 2022

A niche sparkling wine brand, The Uncommon, has become the first UK wine business to be certified as B Corp.

English fizz's bawdy move

Published: 17 November, 2021

A month or so ago, I attended two eye-catching, if very different, launches. Both were from Bibendum Wine: the UK debut of former Dom Pérignon chef de cave Richard Geoffroy’s sake; and an unorthodox new English sparkling wine, with the charming name Harlot.

Plumpton launches scientific sensory courses to meet demand

Published: 12 November, 2021

Plumpton Wine Division is rolling out two scientific wine sensory training courses as part of its WineSkills Program in response to customer demand.

Sparkling wine premium could be scrapped in alcohol duty overhaul

Published: 19 October, 2021

Reports from the national press suggest that the premium on sparkling wine duty could be scrapped by chancellor Rishi Sunak in the upcoming Autumn Budget in a move which could bring sparkling wine duty in line with still.

English wine pushing for success

Published: 20 September, 2021

The pandemic has been a catalyst for sales of English and Welsh wine at home and abroad, accelerating a sector that was already on its way to great things. How to keep up momentum is the question, writes Jo Gilbert.

Gusbourne Appoints global sales director

Published: 09 September, 2021

Gusbourne has appointed Simon Bradbury as director of its global sales, responsible for growing the reach of the Kent-based winery at home and abroad.

English and Welsh wine exports soar despite pandemic disruption

Published: 07 September, 2021

Exports of English and Welsh wine – both still and sparkling – have risen dramatically over the past 12 months, despite the on-going challenges of the Covid pandemic.

Black Chalk to market two versions of its signature vintage cuvées

Published: 07 September, 2021

Hampshire-based Black Chalk has unveiled plans to release two distinct interpretations of its Classic and Wild Rosé wines, based on the same vintage.

Continued plantings spell new growth for English vino at Wine GB

Published: 06 September, 2021

Continued plantings across England and Wales are expected to insulate the growing England and Welsh wine industry against climate issues and smaller-than-usual crop sizes.

Plumpton announces new winemaker

Published: 18 August, 2021

Deepika Koushik has been announced as the new winemaker at Plumpton College.

Sustainable Wines of Great Britain announces first accredited wines

Published: 16 August, 2021

The first wines carrying the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) Trade Mark are now ready to reach the shelves, marking a major step forward for the UK’s commitment to making wines within an environment-friendly framework.

Chapel Down launches limited edition collection with English Orange wine and Albariño

Published: 10 August, 2021

Chapel Down has launched a collection of limited edition wines, including the latest vintages of what the English winemaker claimed to be England’s first Orange wine and England’s first Albariño.

Frazer Thompson steps down from Chapel Down

Published: 02 August, 2021

Chapel Down has announced its succession plan after it was revealed that current CEO Frazer Thompson will be stepping down from the role after 20 years.

Annual Wine GB tasting to return this September

Published: 29 July, 2021

Wine GB has announced that its annual Trade & Press Tasting is to take place on 7 September at RHS Lindley Hall in central London.

Gusbourne signs deal as official Goodwood supplier

Published: 28 July, 2021

Gusbourne has signed a deal as an official partner of Goodwood Racecourse, as well being appointed the exclusive English sparkling wine supplier across the Goodwood Estate which includes Goodwood House, the Goodwood Hotel, The Kennels, Hound Lodge and the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

Along came Covid

Published: 30 June, 2021

Jo Gilbert examines whether the past year has helped or hindered the pre-Brexit narrative that leaving the EU would benefit sales of English and Welsh wine

Chapel Down raises 90% of funding goal

Published: 28 June, 2021

Chapel Down has raised more than 90%, or £6.3m, of its funding goal in just over three weeks, with more than 3,600 investors joining it so far.

TaxPayers’ Alliance backs tax cuts for wine producers

Published: 24 June, 2021

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has added its voice of support for the English wine industry calling for an end to the “unfair tax system that is crippling the industry”.

Wine GB unveils 2021 award winners

Published: 24 June, 2021

Wine GB has unveiled the the winners of this year’s awards for which there was a record number of entries and first-time entrants from all over England and Wales.